Through the years Oklahoma has always been more reticent about early offers than some of their fellow BCS programs. However, it seems that with the Sooners expecting a small class in 2012 that they've been allowed to focus on rising juniors more early than usual. Nowhere is that more clear than with the recent offer that was extended to Murrieta (Calif.) Vista Murrieta defender Su'a Cravens.

While Oklahoma has started to show up on more of the elite national prospects from coast to coast it seems that it was Cravens' persistence that gave defensive coordinator Brent Venables reason to think an offer was a sound decision.

"They were contacting my coach, and I guess my coach put in a good word for me. My coach told me they were showing some interest and my dad said I should call them and build a relationship and I started calling them every week, and then it went from there," Cravens explained.